Which Tent is Right For Me

A Guide To The Kiwi Camping Range

Community Our Best Bits Which Tent is Right For Me

  • Are you gearing up for a camping trip and in the market for a new tent, or are you considering replacing your old one? It's important to know where to begin.

    The first step is to identify your camping style.

    There's no one-size-fits-all tent; different tents are designed for various uses and conditions. Are you planning a summer camping trip lasting 2-3 weeks at a designated campsite, or do you prefer a compact option for occasional weekend getaways? Maybe you're an adventurer tackling colder environments exploring the ranges, in search of a super lightweight choice. To assist you in selecting from our Kiwi Camping tent range, we've divided this question into three distinct scenarios:

    1. Hiking or tramping to your campsite.
    2. Your vehicle is parked within 500 meters of your campsite.
    3. You can drive directly to your campsite.

    Once you've identified your camping style, the next crucial question is, "How many seasons do you camp in?" Camping seasons align with the changing weather patterns.

    3-Season Tents: These tents are ideal for spring, summer, and autumn adventures, typically at lower elevations. They are designed to offer protection against wind and rain. In our Kiwi Camping 3-season tents, you can expect to find a host of features, including twin entrances, multiple guy points for added strength, double-coated flys, mesh inners for both light and breathability, super-strong PU floors, aluminium pegs, ample height for standing upright, and fibreglass poles.

    4-Season Tents: If you're venturing into winter terrain, 4-season tents are your go-to choice. These tents are specially designed to shield you from strong winds, heavy rain, and even snow while remaining lightweight and portable.

    Now that you've determined the camping season that aligns with your plans, the next consideration is your group size. Our extensive tent range accommodates solo campers and can scale up to accommodate groups of 15 or more, depending on the tent type and configuration. This decision also plays a crucial role in determining the size and style of the tent you'll need – whether it's a canvas tent, dome tent, or adventure-style tent. Here's a quick overview of the differences to help guide your choice.

  • Canvas Tents

    Canvas tents offer ample space and create a roomy, bedroom-like feel with plenty of headroom. Our Kakapo and Moa Canvas tents are constructed from robust 320g canvas and feature passivate steel poles, although they can also be inflated like air tents. It's important to note that the higher the GSM (grams per square meter) of the fabric, the more durable and resistant to sun damage it tends to be.

    Canvas tents tend to provide a cooler environment compared to polyester dome tents. However, it's worth mentioning that they come with some trade-offs. Canvas tents are notably heavier and occupy more space in your car's boot. If you're familiar with the setup process, they can be pitched in a similar amount of time as a dome tent.

    Kakapo 8 Canvas Tent

    Kakapo 8 Canvas Tent

  • Dome Tents

    Our dome tents come in various sizes and setups to match your camping needs. In our lineup, we have the well-loved Takahe Family tents, ranging from 6-person to 15-person options, and the versatile Kea range, accommodating 2 to 6 campers. You'll also find blackout options in both ranges, with the Takahe series offering the 8 airframe.

    Choosing the right tent size should align with your comfort requirements during your camping adventure and how long you plan to stay. Generally, dome tents have several advantages: they are easier to set up, lighter in weight, and more compact for packing into your car compared to canvas tents.

    Takahe 10 Blackout Family Tent

    Takahe 10 Blackout Family Tent

  • Adventure Tents

    Crafted from technical, lightweight materials and supported by sturdy yet lightweight poles, adventure tents are designed to be compact and portable enough to carry in your backpack, making them ideal for hikers, backpackers, and those embarking on bush adventures.

    In our lineup of adventure tents, our highly-rated Weka Hiker tents stand out as the perfect choice for those seeking a lightweight and compact option that can withstand even harsh wind and rain conditions.

    For those venturing into the bush and arriving at their campsite by vehicle, our swags offer a hassle-free, comfortable solution complete with built-in mattresses and ample gear storage space. Suppose you're looking for a budget-friendly option for spontaneous weekend getaways. In that case, our smaller Kea Recreational tents and compact Kingfisher Recreational tents are excellent choices to meet the needs of these types of campers.

    Weka 3 Hiker Tent

    Weka 3 Hiker Tent

  • Where do I buy?

    Kiwi Camping offers its tents through a vast network of retailers across New Zealand, including camping specialists and nationwide stores. You can quickly locate these retailers alongside each product on our website or in the "where to buy" section.

    Furthermore, suppose you're seeking guidance on setting up your tent, using it alongside other camping gear, or looking for helpful articles. In that case, our Kiwi Camping team is committed to providing valuable content to make your camping experience as smooth as possible. We continuously create resources like pitching and feature videos for each tent, detailed instructions, and informative blog posts. You can access these materials on our website, specifically on the tent product pages, or on our social media platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok.

    Should you have any questions or need assistance, please get in touch with our team through any of these channels. We're just like you, passionate about camping and more than willing to help, whether you're looking for instructions for our legacy models or seeking general advice.

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